Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.
~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, 1860

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Why we should dwell on military role

In this report below, Commodore Bainimarama who used his military guns to takeover a democratically elected government, is saying that we should not dwell on military role.

Why not?

Our coup history clearly indicates that directly or indirectly the military has been the ones at the centre or the lead in these coups. Therefore, it is IMPERATIVE that their role and existence is re-examined for the future maintenance and preservation of our country, its values, its culture, its traditions, its image, its people.

Do Not Dwell On Military Role Publish date/time: 11/06/2008 [15:56]

Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has stressed that the findings and recommendations emanating from issues and the discussion paper prepared by the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) Working Group on the role of Fiji's security forces in national development is at the moment only for purposes of discussion.

Commodore Bainimarama said there is no official position taken yet, either by the RFMF or the interim government or the NCBBF on those findings.

Bainimarama said the subject of the size and role of the military always attracts the most attention and interest from critics, experts as well as ordinary members of the public. He said he is closely following the views expressed as it is important to have wide ranging discussions on this important subject, however, he clarified that the focus on the size of the military is only one of the many options highlighted in the Issues Discussion Paper.

As such, Bainimarama requested that commentators do not get preoccupied on this issue as there are many other equally important matters raised in the IDP regarding the role of the security forces in national development.

Meanwhile, chair of the working group looking at the role of fiji's security forces, Citizen's Constitutional Forum executive directorReverend Akuila Yabaki said discussions revolve around the role of the military as a watchdog of government and the role it can play in national development.

The NCBBF working group continues consultations on the Role of the Security forces as part of consultations on the People's Charter.